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Need Speed

Posted a few days ago in this section a thread called "Football tryouts in a few days."

For those who haven't read that thread, I didn't make the team, long story short.

Im not going to beat around the bush. I need more speed. At this level its one of the main things holding me back. I want to improve my 40 time (at a 4.89 currently), 3-cone, pro-agaility,etc. Im transferring over from an O-linemen to a linebacker so I need a lot of help. Currently following Tom Mutaffis' strongman program listed here. If anyone can get me on a proper track/routine for speed training, I'd appreciate it. Feel free to ask questions if you want more info.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

Is your dream to play d1 football above anything else at this point? I remember you posted your highlight video a time back and thought you could be an excellent d3 player right off the bat and likely a solid d2 player after a year of gaining some size. Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do anything, but if you want to play for 4 years significantly, it may not be a bad idea to check out those options provided it is financially feasible. I played d3 football at a school which was quite bad at the time, but whenever I talk to people about football now 10 years later, I usually receive compliments just for playing at the college level. I will even make comments, but yeah it was d3 and they reply it didn't matter because it was college ball. So, follow your dream, but keep things in perspective.

Is your dream to play d1 football above anything else at this point? I remember you posted your highlight video a time back and thought you could be an excellent d3 player right off the bat and likely a solid d2 player after a year of gaining some size. Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do anything, but if you want to play for 4 years significantly, it may not be a bad idea to check out those options provided it is financially feasible. I played d3 football at a school which was quite bad at the time, but whenever I talk to people about football now 10 years later, I usually receive compliments just for playing at the college level. I will even make comments, but yeah it was d3 and they reply it didn't matter because it was college ball. So, follow your dream, but keep things in perspective.

Great post man! A lot of people get hung up on the particulars and forget how great their personal accomplishments really are. This is a great outlook to have and I'm glad you passed it on to us. Thank you.

Well, not to be an asshole or anything, but this is a powerlifting forum. You'd be better off asking elsewhere, like on a football training forum.

You are correct. However, a lot of power lifting and football training go hand in hand. I also have more faith in this site than others.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

Is your dream to play d1 football above anything else at this point? I remember you posted your highlight video a time back and thought you could be an excellent d3 player right off the bat and likely a solid d2 player after a year of gaining some size. Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do anything, but if you want to play for 4 years significantly, it may not be a bad idea to check out those options provided it is financially feasible. I played d3 football at a school which was quite bad at the time, but whenever I talk to people about football now 10 years later, I usually receive compliments just for playing at the college level. I will even make comments, but yeah it was d3 and they reply it didn't matter because it was college ball. So, follow your dream, but keep things in perspective.

Thanks Joey. I'll keep that in mind. Like you said, I'm going to follow my dreams. I just need to make sure I keep other doors open so I have options.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

DeFranco has some great info out here. He's all about the first 10 yards.

Know of him but never have done any deep research. Any good articles/books I can look/buy?

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

I think the transition from O.L. to L.B. is a leap too far also ~~~ needing more along the lines of 4.6 speed.

Which leads me to my next question: Have you thought about fullback ~ your right in the ball park, and you understand blocking schemes ~~~~ Just a thought.

Also, back to the the SC lineman, they are coached by a guy who never played a down of D1 football (Shawn Elliot) ~ who played at Appalachian State, became a graduate assistant there, and is now the O-Line coach here.

No shame in following your dreams, but sometimes the good Lord has other plans for the immediate future. Use the tools that are in your toolbox now and excel where you're at.

Who knows it might not even be football ~~~ perhaps you'd be awesome at Rugby.

Does this pose make my camera look big?

"We're not as good as we want to be, we're not as good as we should be, but thank God we're not as bad as we used to be..."

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

I think the transition from O.L. to L.B. is a leap too far also ~~~ needing more along the lines of 4.6 speed.

Which leads me to my next question: Have you thought about fullback ~ your right in the ball park, and you understand blocking schemes ~~~~ Just a thought.

Also, back to the the SC lineman, they are coached by a guy who never played a down of D1 football (Shawn Elliot) ~ who played at Appalachian State, became a graduate assistant there, and is now the O-Line coach here.

No shame in following your dreams, but sometimes the good Lord has other plans for the immediate future. Use the tools that are in your toolbox now and excel where you're at.

Who knows it might not even be football ~~~ perhaps you'd be awesome at Rugby.

Thanks for the post. A lot of good info. Fullback would be pretty good..ISU currently doesn't utilize them though. So in the next month im going to have to reevaluate a few things.

Last edited by Jonathan E; 08-26-2012 at 01:05 PM.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

I'm also currently trying to transition from OL to MLB after 3 torn ACLs...while moving up a division.

What school/division?

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

You are correct. However, a lot of power lifting and football training go hand in hand. I also have more faith in this site than others.

The only thing that may correlate is the fac tthat you squat and bench - that's it.

Let me explain football in its simplest form. If you're willing to do anything on the field, you can play football. Play special teams, long snap, run, hit, tackle. It's a very easy sport to play, on that level.

As mentioned above, there's no way you'll make the transition from OL to LB.

The best way to get better (agility, speed etc...) is to play basketball and lift. There's no drill that'll make you better.

And to whoever mentioned the OL coach at South carolina - he absolutely played Division 1 football. App State is a 1AA powerhouse. it doesn't mean you can't be a great coach if you never played D1 ball, but give the guy his credit. App State is d1 and very good, at that.

The only thing that may correlate is the fac tthat you squat and bench - that's it.

Let me explain football in its simplest form. If you're willing to do anything on the field, you can play football. Play special teams, long snap, run, hit, tackle. It's a very easy sport to play, on that level.

As mentioned above, there's no way you'll make the transition from OL to LB.

The best way to get better (agility, speed etc...) is to play basketball and lift. There's no drill that'll make you better.

And to whoever mentioned the OL coach at South carolina - he absolutely played Division 1 football. App State is a 1AA powerhouse. it doesn't mean you can't be a great coach if you never played D1 ball, but give the guy his credit. App State is d1 and very good, at that.

Agreed. Working on long snapping now, actually. Also looking into Illinois State and Southern Illinois (Both good div 1AA) if this school doesn't work out.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

Was at a powerhouse D3 school, now trying to go D2 (have to many injuries/no size for D1)

Good luck brother.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

He's simply proof that speed isn't everything. For his position a 5 second 40 isn't the worst thing in the world. But he plays the position well.

Get stronger. Your numbers aren't what they should be for your position. If you get stronger, the speed will increase provided you continue training it. I go over this time and time again with guys who come into my gym. You have to be able to develop more power and you can't do that when you're not getting stronger. Over the years I've helped a lot of guys go from 2nd and 3rd string to starting positions by this principle. More times than not they were slow because they just weren't strong enough. Or they hadn't done some particular movements correctly (like squatting).

He's simply proof that speed isn't everything. For his position a 5 second 40 isn't the worst thing in the world. But he plays the position well.

Get stronger. Your numbers aren't what they should be for your position. If you get stronger, the speed will increase provided you continue training it. I go over this time and time again with guys who come into my gym. You have to be able to develop more power and you can't do that when you're not getting stronger. Over the years I've helped a lot of guys go from 2nd and 3rd string to starting positions by this principle. More times than not they were slow because they just weren't strong enough. Or they hadn't done some particular movements correctly (like squatting).

Start deadlifting as well.

Thanks for the input Travis. Looking at my numbers, whats a goal you think I should be aiming for? I've experimented with 5/3/1, DT, and now Toms' program. I've really been hitting a brick wall these past months with training. Anything you (or for that matter anyone else) would recommend? Upper body and back seems to be slowly moving up, but more importantly my lower half and especially my squat is not.

(Raw)
Bench: 350
Squat: 475
Dead: 500

"All people dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous ones, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."